4 66 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



The KABASSOU 



is furnimed with twelve bands, and is the largeft of all 

 the Armadillos, being almoft three feet long from nofe to 

 tail: The figures on the moulders are of an oblong 

 form*, thofe on the rump hexangular. It is feldom 

 eaten. 



The Weasel-headed ARMADILLO, 



fo called from the form of its head, which is flender, 

 has eighteen bands from its fhoulder to its tail : The 

 fhell is marked with fquare figures on the Ihoulders *, 

 thofe on the legs and thighs are roundifti : The body is 

 about fifteen inches long j tail five. 



All thefe animals have the power of drawing them- 

 felves up under their Ihells, either for the purpofe of re- 

 pofe or fafety. They are furniflied with ftrong lateral 

 mufcles, confifting of numerlefs fibres, crofiing each 

 other in the form of an X, with which they contract 

 themfelves fo powerfully, that the ftrongeft man is 



fcarcely able to force them open. The fliells of the 



larger Armadillos are much ftronger that thofe of the 

 fmaller kinds. Their fleft is likewife harder, and more 

 unfit for the table. 



